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BREAKING NEWS

Former Nashuan seeks early parole

Dean Shalhoup

Senior Staff Writer

dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com

File photo
George Bally, 63, formerly of Nashua

NASHUA – Appearing in court via video conference from the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility in Berlin this week, former Nashua resident George Bally asked a judge to grant him early parole so he can look forward to a “quiet retirement.”

Bally, now 63, lived at 461/2 Ledge St. when he was arrested on March 16, 2015, following a harrowing, 20-mile police pursuit that began in Manchester and ended when he crashed into a fence just yards from his home.

Roughly 10 months later, Bally and county prosecutors reached a plea deal in which Bally would agree to plead guilty to four counts of felony reckless conduct, two counts of conduct after an accident, and one count each of possession of controlled drug with intent to distribute and disobeying an officer in exchange for one sentence of 3-7 years and another of 1-7 years in State Prison.

Bally is now 13 months away from his earliest parole date, having just completed the 3-7 year sentence once his pre-trial confinement credit of 313 days is figured in.

In making his case for the opportunity for early parole, Bally told Judge Jacalyn Colburn – who also presided over his plea and sentencing hearing – that his actions on the day of the pursuit grew out of “a perfect storm” of adverse events.

“In my defense, I never had a serious motor vehicle incident before that day,” he told Colburn. “It was a perfect storm … I was on methadone at the time, trying to (beat) my drug habit.”

While he said he realizes there are a number of steps he’d still need to take before release even if Colburn were to grant his request, Bally said the prospect of being released sooner than later would be encouraging.

“I’m 63 now … there are health problems. Time is getting precious,” he said. “I’d just like to get a small place and retire.”

Assistant County Attorney Lisa Drescher, who represented the state at the hearing, said that although Bally has only a minor prison record, one of the offenses – possession of drugs – “is most concerning to the state.”

Also concerning, Drescher said, is the “high speed chase from Manchester to Nashua.

“He almost hit police officers, he was going 85 mph on Kinsley Street and went the wrong way on West Hollis Street,” she said, referring to the pursuit, which began at the Amoskeag Rotary after a witness reported a driver, later identified as Bally, pushed a passenger out of the car and sped off.

“The state’s concern is protecting the community,” Drescher added.

Colburn said she would review Bally’s and Drescher’s statements and issue her ruling in a few days.

Dean Shalhoup can be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DeanS.